Football News

Lockett Taken by Seattle in NFL Draft

Lockett Taken by Seattle in NFL Draft

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft Friday evening. His selection, the 69th overall pick in this year's draft, extended K-State's Big 12-leading streak with at least one player selected in the NFL Draft to 22 straight years.

Lockett is the fourth Wildcat to be drafted by the Seahawks, including the third wide receiver. Former receivers Taco Wallace (seventh round) and Chris Harper (fourth round) were selected in 2003 and 2013, respectively, while offensive lineman Todd Weiner was taken by the organization in 1998. In addition, Lockett is the highest Wildcat wide receiver selected since Jordy Nelson in 2008 (36th overall, Green Bay).

One of the top wide receivers and all-purpose players in school history, Lockett became Kansas State's first four-year All-American and was a two-time Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year honoree. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, product broke 17 school records, including career marks for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns that were previously held by his father, Kevin. He also ranks highly in Big 12 history as he ranks in the top 10 in seven categories, including tying for the top mark in kickoff-return average, ranking third in all-purpose yards and kickoff-return touchdowns, and fifth in receiving yards and kickoff-return yards.

Tyler is the third member of the Lockett family to attend Kansas State and subsequently be picked in the NFL Draft. Kevin was selected in the second round -- No. 47 overall -- by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1997 draft, while Tyler's uncle, Aaron, was selected in the seventh round -- No. 254 overall -- by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2002 draft.

K-State opens the 2015 season on Saturday, September 5, as the Wildcats host South Dakota at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats return 44 letterwinners, including 16 starters, from last year's team that went 9-4 and earned a bowl berth for a fifth-straight season. The other six home games feature five opponents that advanced to bowl games in 2014, including a pair of top-10 teams in TCU (No. 3/3) and Baylor (No. 7/8).

A limited number of single-game tickets for the 2015 season go on sale online only at www.k-statesports.com/tickets on June 22, while fans can purchase by calling the ticket office at 1-800-221-CATS beginning June 24.